Hyundai unveils hydrogen-powered Neptune heavy duty truck

Hyundai has unveiled two concepts, including the HDC-6 NEPTUNE Concept, a hydrogen-powered Class 8 heavy duty truck, as it seeks to reinforce its vision for the widespread deployment of hydrogen-powered fuel cell technologies.

In addition to the HDC-6 NEPTUNE Concept, Hyundai Translead (HT) – a leading trailer manufacturer – also announced the launch of its new clean energy refrigerated concept trailer, the HT Nitro ThermoTech.

The concepts were unviled at the North American Commercial Vehicle (NACV) Show in Atlantia, Georgia, the country’s leading truck fleet-focused event.

The company’s announcement focused a lot on the Art Deco-inspired design of the HDC-6 NEPTUNE and less on the actual technical specifics of the vehicle.

However, the body-length grill is applied as both a design aspect and a means to increase airflow for the truck’s increased cooling requirements.

“HDC-6 NEPTUNE, the concept for the next-generation fuel-cell electric truck, embodies Hyundai Motor’s vision of mobility for a global hydrogen society, innovatively developed applying Hyundai designers’ creativity and the company’s advanced technology,” said SangYup Lee, Head of Hyundai Design Center.

Similarly, Hyundai is boasting that its HT Nitro ThermoTech concept trailer provides a “response to the rising challenges of clean transportation” by reducing greenhouse gases and dependence on fossil fuels while maintaining competitiveness.

Billed as “optimal” for transporting cold chain products, the HT Nitro ThermoTech is able to reduce temperatures faster than traditional refrigeration units and maintain precise temperature without being affected by outside temperatures.

Virtually noiseless and with maximum power available at all times regardless of whether the truck’s engine is off or idling, the HT Nitro ThermoTech is designed with a single one-piece structure including the side wall, front wall, and roof made with Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) skins.